Card and Tile Games Indexed by Number of Players

These index pages list traditional card and tile games for each number of players for which rules are available through pagat.com. The entry for each game shows the equipment required and whether the players are alone or in teams.

Games for 1 Player - otherwise known as solitaire or patience games - are not covered in detail on pagat.com. The link is to the solitaire page, which lists many websites that provide rules and analysis of solitare games and software for playing them.

Games for 2 Players. Most card games require or work best with more than two players, but there are quite a few classic two-player games, and other games that are playable by two if more players are not available.

Games for 3 Players. According to card game writer and historian David Parlett, three is the ideal number for a card game, with the optimal balance between information and uncertainty about which player holds which cards. In many of the best examples, in each deal one player plays alone and the other two form a temporary alliance.

Games for 4 Players. A group of four players has the widest choice of card games, including those that use the classic fixed partnership format: two against two with partners facing each other across the table. There are also many interesting alliance games, in which the teams vary from deal to deal as well as individual games. Also, four players should not overlook the possibility of playing one of the many excellent games for three players, with players taking turns to sit out and rest.

Games for 5 Players. There are plenty of good games for five players - not only games where everyone plays for themselves, but also games where the players form temporary teams (alliances). Many four-player alliance games also work well for five players, with players taking turns to sit out and rest.

Games for 6 Players. As well as individual and alliance games, with six players there is the possibility of forming three fixed teams of two or two fixed teams of three.

Games for 7 Players. Seven is the traditional number of players for many poker games, and there are quite a few other individual and alliance games thast work well with seven. Alternatively, a group of this size may wish to consider splitting into smaller groups of three and four to play separate games.

Games for 8 Players. Games can become unwieldy with so many players, so dividing into two separate groups of four may be a good option. The index page lists games suitable for eight players playing together.

Games for 9 Players. Games designed for exactly nine players are rare. An exception is the Irish game Twenty-Five, which is often played between three teams of three.

Games for 10 Players. Some round games and some poker variants and other gambling games are playable.

Games for 11 Players. A small selection of games, involving either several decks of cards, or very few cards per player.

Games for 12 Players.
A small selection of games, involving either several decks of cards, or very few cards per player.